Boundary Adjustment

Welcome New Residents

On Tuesday December 13th, 2016 The Honourable Bill Mauro, Minster of Municipal Affairs, officially signed the City of Brantford and County of Brant Boundary Restructuring Order. The signed Restructuring Order formalizes the Boundary Agreement between both municipalities and takes effect January 1, 2017.

As a result of this development, it is our sincere pleasure to formally welcome new residents affected by the boundary adjustment to the City of Brantford. Below you will find a “Frequently Asked Questions” summary that has been prepared in anticipation of questions you may have regarding the new boundary transition process. Please note that in the immediate future, many of the services provided to new boundary areas will remain the same.

Please check back to this page frequently for regular updates as enhancements to services unfold and feel free to contact us at 519-759-4150 or communications@brantford.ca with any questions or concerns you may have that are not addressed below. Thank you.

It is our sincere hope hope that you will come to support both the City of Brantford and the County of Brant in achieving our mutual objectives of shared prosperity by growing together as sustainable and independent municipalities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Brantford is one of eight cities located outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) identified under Provincial policy as an Urban Growth Centre, which is where future population growth is projected to occur in the next 30 years. The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2006 - a provincial document that contains a long-term plan for population growth outside of the GTA, projects that the population of the City of Brantford will grow to 163,000 people and 79,000 jobs by the year 2041. To accommodate this projected growth, the City of Brantford requires additional lands to provide places for existing and new residents to live and work.

The Boundary Agreement signed by the Councils of the City of Brantford and the County of Brant established an effective date for the transfer of January 1, 2017. Finalization of the agreement was approved by a Minister’s Order from the Minister of Municipal Affairs. The signed Restructuring Order confirms the effective date of January 1, 2017.

In the immediate term, there will be no changes to water and sewer services provided to residents impacted by the new boundary adjustment. The City of Brantford will continue to supply water to King George Rd/Powerline Rd area and effective January 1st, 2017 the City will take over the operation of this area’s water piping system. The Tutela Heights area will continue to receive water services from your current service provider. Any changes to this service including detailed information regarding the City’s water quality processes, programs and procedures will be communicated to residents well in advance of when changes will take effect.

For customers in the Tutela Heights/Mount Pleasant area, you will continue to receive your water bill from Energy + Inc. If you live in the King George Rd/ Powerline Rd area, the City of Brantford will be responsible for your water billing effective January 1, 2017. Energy + will be sending your final bill in early January. You will receive your first City of Brantford Utilities bill in February 2017 and continue to receive a bill from Energy + Inc. for your electricity charges.

In the immediate term, there will be no changes to garbage and recycling collection services provided to residents impacted by the new boundary adjustment. The current recycling contractor will continue to provide collection services until October 31, 2017. On November 1, 2017, City service contractors will commence weekly garbage and recycling collection services. Prior to commencement of City services, information will be provided to residents regarding the set out and participation requirements as well as contacts to submit comments and inquiries. Any garbage and recycling collection issues should be directed to the City of Brantford at 519-759-4150.

In the immediate short term, there will be no changes to road-clearing services provided to residents impacted by the new boundary adjustment. The current snow removal contractor in place will continue to provide these services in the near future. Any changes to this service will be communicated to residents well in advance of when changes will take effect.

Monthly Payment Plan - The 12 monthly payments for a taxation year begin on December 1 of the prior year, and ends on November 1 of the taxation year. The first seven payments are based on 1/12th of your total prior-year taxes. When the Final tax bill is prepared in June, the taxpayer will be notified of the revised monthly payment required to pay the balance of the annual taxes by November 1 of the taxation year.

Due Date Plan – The installment amounts shown on your Interim and Final tax bills will be withdrawn from your bank account on the installment due-dates.

Self-Directed Plan – This plan is for accounts that have outstanding tax arrears. Penalty and interest continues to accrue while the account has unpaid taxes. Each payment is first applied to outstanding penalty & interest, then to any other charges added as taxes (such as water arrears), then the balance towards property taxes.

In accordance with the City of Brantford Animal Control by-law, all dogs over the age of 3 months are required to obtain a Brantford Dog License. Licenses are renewed on an annual basis and expire on December 31st. Notices are mailed directly to residents reminding them to renew their licenses in mid-November. For those residents that obtained a County of Brant license in 2016, a notice will be mailed to you in early January of 2017. Newly transferred residents (former County of Brant land transfers only) will be given the renewal rate for 2017, provided they have proof of valid licensing with the County of Brant in 2016. Dog licenses can be obtained at the City of Brantford City's Clerks Office, 1st Floor, 100 Wellington Street, Brantford, or the Customer Service office, 220 Colborne Street, Brantford. In addition, inquiries can be directed to the City Clerk’s department by phoning 519-759-4150 or by email at licensing@brantford.ca.
Please note cat licenses are not required.

The City of Brantford has a comprehensive Business Licensing program that requires certain types of businesses to obtain a license to operate within Brantford whether the business property is owned or leased. License criteria are based on the need for health and safety measures, consumer protection and/or nuisance control measures. As such, each license category has a customized application process. The City Clerks licensing team will be endeavoring to contact businesses in January of 2017 regarding applications and requirements that their business is required to complete. For a complete list of businesses included in the licensing program, please visit www.brantford.ca under the Business section. Application forms for Business Licenses are available at the City's Clerks Office, 1st Floor, 100 Wellington Street, Brantford, Ontario. In addition, questions about requirements or general inquiries can be directed to the City Clerk’s department by phoning 519-759-4150 or by email at licensing@brantford.ca.

The Official Plan designation and Zoning of all lands located within the transfer area will remain as is prior to the transfer. The County of Brant Official Plan and Zoning By-law will remain effective until such time as the City makes the necessary amendments to bring the transfer lands into the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law.

Yes, effective January 1, 2017, City by-laws will apply to residents within the newly expanded boundary areas of the City of Brantford. For more information regarding by-law enforcement, please contact the City’s By-law office at 519-759-4150.

Both City of Brantford and County of Brant residents have access to a wide variety of social assistance, housing and children’s services and there will be no changes to eligibility for new residents. For more information please contact the City at 519-759-4150.

The tax rate used to calculate annual property taxes for the annexed properties will be phased-in from the County of Brant tax rate to the City of Brantford tax rate over a period not to exceed 15 years. The phase-in period may in fact be shorter than 15 years depending on the rate of increase in the City of Brantford’s annual operating budget. The tax rate used in 2017 will be the County of Brant’s 2016 tax rate and in subsequent years increased annually based on the increase in the City of Brantford’s Operating Budget. When the tax rate used for taxation on the annexed properties has been increased to the point where it is equal to the City’s tax rate, the phase-in period will be complete and the tax rate for annexed properties will now become the City’s tax rate. Properties that change ownership or are subject to Planning Act changes will automatically be moved to the City of Brantford’s taxation rate. For more information please contact the City at 519-759-4150.